This Matters

The world is changing every day. Now, more than ever, these questions matter. What’s happening? And why should you care? This Matters, a daily news podcast from the Toronto Star, aims to answer those questions, on important stories and ideas, every day, Monday to Friday. Hosts Adrian Cheung, Saba Eitizaz and Raju Mudhar talk to experts and newsmakers about the social, cultural, political and economic stories that shape your life.

The Yonge-Dundas Square peg, Eglington Crosstown, Olivia Chow’s measures of progress in Ottawa and at Queen’s Park and more stories of the week

Sep 29, 2023

Hosts: Toronto Star columnists Edward Keenan and Emma Teitel

In this episode: The week that was in Toronto and beyond: Including questions about whether the Eglinton Crosstown will be built in any of our lifetimes (and whether they’ll let us know if it is), the fallout from the celebration of a Nazi soldier...

Are apologies and a resignation enough?

Sep 28, 2023

On this episode: Guest host Althia Raj talks with Bernie Farber, the founding chair of the anti-hate network, the former CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress

Last week, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota, invited Yaroslav Hunka, a 98-year-old constituent, to come to Ottawa and hear Ukrainian President...

Doug Ford’s summertime blues

Sep 27, 2023

Guest: Toronto Star Queen’s Park Bureau Chief Robert Benzie

In this episode: Doug Ford’s foray into a mayoral election he promised to stay out of was just the start of a summer where nothing seemed to go right for his government and where the Greenbelt swap scandal exploded — costing his government cabinet...

Truth, reconciliation and sustaining the land

Sep 26, 2023

Guest: Brandi Morin, French/Cree/Iroquois journalist from Treaty 6 in Alberta

Indigenous people have been on the frontlines of fighting to protect and sustain the land and environment for years. They warn that the west’s supposedly eco-friendly climate strategy is also a repeat of history. Resources needed for...

Ford’s week is a case of ‘surprise, not surprised’ and other big stories

Sep 22, 2023

Guests: Martin Regg Cohn, Queen’s Park columnist

In this episode, columnist Martin Regg Cohn joins to tackle the avalanche of news coming from Queen’s Park including Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow’s visit (and common ground with the premier), the debate for Liberal party leadership hopefuls and Premier Doug Ford...